John Childress Whitsitt's Obituary
John Childress Whitsitt, Jr., 62, passed away peacefully at home on June 13, 2014, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, he was the son of Mildred and John Whitsitt. He spent his early childhood in London and Paris as his father served in WWII and the Korean War. Upon returning to Memphis, he graduated from White Station High School, followed by Southern Methodist University in Dallas in 1973. He made many lifelong friends in school and college, especially those as a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. John began his career in banking with the National Bank of Commerce and at the time of his departure served as Vice President, Commercial Lending. Subsequently, he became the Vice President of Cedar Chemical Company and the President of RiceCo, where he served for 17 years. Upon his retirement from RiceCo, he joined his brother, William, in the construction industry with Whitsitt Brothers and went on to found Delta Concrete. An avid and renowned tennis player, he was a Tennessee State Champion, as well as the Racquet Club Champion in several divisions. John loved his family home at Pickwick Lake and spent his recreational time with his parents, family, wife, children and friends there. John is survived by his wife, Ren, and four children; Trey (III) and his wife Heather, Bradley, Coleman and Jeren Moore, along with his beloved grandchildren, Caleb and Justin. He is preceded in death by his parents, but leaves his sister, Virginia, and husband Reg Steele, his brother, William, and wife Patricia, and nieces and nephews Christopher Steele, Sarah Steele, Allie Whitsitt, and Virginia Allen Whitsitt. John was a man of great integrity, commitment and humor. His contribution and presence in our lives leaves an irreplaceable legacy. A lifelong member of Christ United Methodist Church, services will be held at the church on Tuesday June 17, 2014. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. followed by funeral services at 2 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church. Burial will be immediately after at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Wings Cancer Foundation’s program “A Gift From John.”Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, 901-767-8930, “Behind the Stone Wall”.
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